Spike Jonze’s long-in-development and hush-hush cinematic adaptation Where the Wild Things is finally teasing itself to the world, and WOW, it looks amazing. What do you guys think it’ll be — heady cult film, kids-only, new fantasy movie classic or travesty?
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It looks genius!
Not sure… The trailer is tantalizing enough to make me extremely curious but I’ve got the usual dread that accompanies a movie adaptation of a book I loved as a kid.
It looks like the graphics will be pretty, but one wonders what the story will be like. It seems like movie producers today don’t care much for a good plot; they put all their energy into the CGI.
And wasn’t that book mostly pictures, with hardly any dialogue? (Sorry, it’s been a looooong time since I picked up that book.)
Thanks for showing us, I’m really exited for it!
However, if they don’t make it good, I’ll start trolling all over the inter-blag.
SyldraLady,
Your comment on CGI is one of the reasons why I think movie looks so refreshing! The wind things are actual guys in suits (with a little CG enhancement). It does make a huge difference. As for the book, yeah, it’s a pretty short picture book (perfect for bedtime story reading), with little plot to draw on, so most all the dialog will be original for the movie, but I think the intentions and spirit are looking spot on.
I loved that book so much when I was little! I can’t wait for this.
It’s scary having something so well known and familiar put outside its former boundaries, but… if they keep the original spirit and intention intact, then there is no reason this shouldn’t be successful.
There’s been a few times when producers have made a mess out of this sort of thing, but let’s hope they have their heads screwed on right this time!
I’m actually not happy with this adaptation. I know that Sendak was involved at one point — dunno if she still is? Anyway… I think the CGI is awful. And I hope that its not the final version I am seeing in the trailer. I have more of a problem with the filming and the CGI if anything. It’s as if they let a cinematographer for skate-park films grab a hold of this beauty and run wild with it. Which is what the film is for, but honestly? Not that wild… Meh. And, I prefer the costumes — I’m sure the Henson could make better ones. But Sendak’s drawings were unique. The only ‘unique’ part of this film I see is the wild things. It’s as if they just stuck them on a beach. Which is where it took place, but mostly at night — its how the wild thing could be a wild thing. And then again, it might be darker in some parts of the film (since its been stretched for time). But if the screenplay is nice, then that might just quell me over.
The pros, however? The kid is great, the song choice for the trailer is amazing, an the voices for the wild things are how I thought they would sound.
I absolutely adore the trailer. There is a whimsy there I don’t think I’ve seen for an American audience for ages. And the movie has already won clear props from me because the wild things are actually men in costumes. It’s akin to having puppet Yoda back! I’m super excited for this, and I didn’t even discover the children’s book until I was older.
From what I hear Andi, Jim Henson studios was consulted on the Wild Things costumes, and the prop department took strong technical inspiration from the Ludo suit construction.
Hrm… I can see that from the original suit, yes. But I think the CGI makes them look quite awful. I’m not happy with the CGI, like I said, didn’t really have a problem with the suits (and it’s nice to know that Jim Henson’s Studios were the creators). Wetta would be my choice, since their work has triumphed ILM.
Like I said, I’m sure it’ll be a strong screenplay. But in some instances, screenplay and visuals don’t always go hand in hand.
I’ll keep to my Sendak books, though and the late 80’s – early 90’s films.
That’s awesome! I haven’t looked at that book in so long. It suprises me that they could make a movie out of such a small book. haha but it looks really cool. The Wild Things remind me of Ludo in a way.
Whether it’s good or terrible, I definitely have to see this. It’s the book that we were raised on, and never once as a kid did I think it’d become a feature film…hopefully they won’t kill the story.
And yes, this was largely a picture book, but the great minds of film makers allow them to interpret those pictures and form together a story behind them. I’ve got my fingers crossed on this one.
Awesome! It looks beautiful! Hey, and they even used a song that Bowie once sang with Arcade Fire in the EP (Live at Fashion Rocks) entitled, “Wake Up!”. I have this song from iTunes (’cause I just love Mr. D. Bowie our beloved Goblin King, Jareth). [Although, this wasn't his version].
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I can’t wait to check this movie out. Maurice Sendak is an all time favorite of mine. I’m just glad that they have the technology to pull the movie off these days. If Hollywood stays true to the book, it should be just fine. The trailer and its presentation of clips looks promising. Let’s hope it’s as spectacular as the book!
I learned to read with this book and Jonze’s film adaptation looks absolutely amazing. I can’t wait to see it!
Aijuin, “Wake Up” is from Arcade Fire’s album Funeral. If you only have the Live at Fashion Rocks version, I recommend that you download the studio version. Hell, get the whole album. And get Neon Bible, while you’re at it. Arcade Fire is fantastic.
Woah, David Bowie originally sang this song? It does sound like something he would sing
Mollie, no, no, no! Like Helena says, it’s an Arcade Fire original from their album Funeral. Bowie joined them for the “Fashion Rocks” benefit concert (there’s an LP on itunes – sorta poor quality) but Bowie’s involvement was a (space) oddity.
Don’t worry about the confusion though. I first knew them as “that Six Feet Under” band, as they wrote a song for the penultimate episode.
Oh, ok. Thanks!